The Blackwell Companion to Natural Theology / Edition 1

by William Lane Craig, J. P. Moreland

Overview

With the help of in-depth essays from some of the world's leading philosophers, The Blackwell Companion to Natural Theology explores the nature and existence of God through human reason and evidence from the natural world.

• Provides in-depth and cutting-edge treatment of natural theology's main arguments
• Includes contributions from first-rate philosophers well known for their work on the relevant topics
• Updates relevant arguments in light of the most current, state-of-the-art philosophical and scientific discussions
• Stands in useful contrast and opposition to the arguments of the 'new atheists'

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781444350852
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	02/27/2012
Pages:	704
Sales rank:	402,097
Product dimensions:	6.80(w) x 9.60(h) x 1.30(d)

About the Author

William Lane Craig is Research Professor of Philosophy at talbot School of Theology in La Mirada, California. He has authored or edited more than thirty books and many articles in professional journals of philosophy and theology.

J. P. Moreland is distinguished Professor of Philosophy at talbot School of Theology in La Mirada, California. He has authored, edited, or contributed to thirty books and authored over 100 articles in professional journals of philosophy and theology.

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Table of Contents

List of figures vi

Notes on contributors vii

Introduction ix
William Lane Craig and J. P. Moreland

1 The project of natural theology 1
Charles Taliaferro

2 The Leibnizian cosmological argument 24
Alexander R. Pruss

3 The kalam cosmological argument 101
William Lane Craig and James D. Sinclair

4 The teleological argument: an exploration of the fine-tuning of the universe 202
Robin Collins

5 The argument from consciousness 282
J. P. Moreland

6 The argument from reason 344
Victor Reppert

7 The moral argument 391
Mark D. Linville

8 The argument from evil 449
Stewart Goetz

9 The argument from religious experience 498
Kai-Man Kwan

10 The ontological argument 553
Robert E. Maydole

11 The argument from miracles: a cumulative case for the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth 593
Timothy McGrew and Lydia McGrew

Index 663

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"The Companion contains papers on a rich diversity of topics that are representative of the new natural theology that emerged in the 1970s with books by Alvin Plantinga, William Craig and others. The rapidly evolving lines of thought are increasingly influential in the field of philosophy and the essays in this collection are "cutting edge" works, such as the very recent formulation of a new version of the ontological argument for God's existence by Robert Maydole. The high quality of the essays make this book required reading for philosophers of religion and its diverse topics will interest thinkers in many fields."
–Quentin Smith, Western Michigan University

"This collection is a major contribution to the intellectual discussion of classical theism. Its philosophically sophisticated essays provide essential background reading for all those engaged in serious debate about the rationality of belief in God today."
–John F. Haught, Georgetown University

"I used to think natural theology was a dead area and not worthy of mourning. The scholarship represented by this volume has convinced me I was wrong. The Blackwell Companion to Natural Theology aptly demonstrates why natural theology has become an exciting scholarly area again. These essays combine cutting-edge philosophy with recent scientific advancements to provide a thorough, timely resource balancing confidence and humility, rigour and readability."
–Justin L. Barrett, University of Oxford

Editorial Reviews

"They give a good look into the condition of the field, and bring to the forefront presuppositions shaping contemporary inquiry." (Reviews in Religion & Theology, 2011)

"If natural theology is overdue for a comeback, this work will help it on its way, and, for skeptical readers, there is much here to go on thinking about for months to come (making it a good catalyst for intelligent debate)." (Reference Reviews, February 2010)

"All of these essays show sophistication and deserve wide attention. Common objections to the theistic arguments are considered and logical proofs are helpfully provided when appropriate." (Religious Studies Review, June 2010)

"Laudable and timely." (Church Times, January 2010)

From the Publisher

All of these essays show sophistication and deserve wide attention.”

Religious Studies Review